Jammin' in the Sand: Police-escorted, 160-bike toy run heads to FMB Saturday

Huge welcome party planned

November 17, 2011

The police-escorted, 160-bike, sixth annual "Riding for Tommy" and the Gators' Holiday Toy Run and Bike Rally will be riding onto Fort Myers Beach Saturday, Nov. 19, and you know our island has special plans up its sleeves to celebrate!

Riding into the north end of the island from Fort Lauderdale to help raise funds for the Home Sweet Home Foundation, a charity that assists special-needs children, Nervous Nellie's and the Lani Kai are proud to offer very special treats for the incoming fleet.

When the bikers arrive around noon Saturday, The Lani Kai has happily sponsored rooms for the hundreds of fund-raising bikers that evening, with a completely packed house, and is offering plenty of food and drink specials for all who come and party that night, along with great live music. The resort is also sure to have overnight security to look over all of the bikes through the wee hours of the morning.

Article Photos

The staff of Nervous Nellie’s is eager to host Sand Jam Holiday Toy Drive Saturday, Nov. 19, featuring Las Vegas’ KISS: Alive tribute band, The Jane Dear Girls, Steve Holy and more. Cost is $10, but those enjoying a lunch or dinner entree at Nellie’s that day will get a free ticket. Above, owner Rob DeGennaro (in gray) and his staff are ready for the all-day party and benefit!

"We are so happy to sponsor the bikers during their long journey across the state," said Beverly Bacon, sales director of the Lani Kai. "And, in celebration, we will be hosting an all-night party with the group and everyone is invited to join us."

Throughout the day Saturday, Nervous Nellie's, in conjunction with Cat Country (107.1-FM) and The River (95.3-FM), will be throwing a huge, all-day country rock concert along Bay Walk, called the Sand Jam Holiday Toy Drive, featuring national recording artist Steve Holy, Grammy-nominated Jane Dear Girls and KISS Alive: The Tribute, live from Las Vegas, Nv. all taking place from the giant 109-foot Jagermeister stage, packed with amazing lights and sound, near the Bay Walk establishment.

Local groups Under the Influence and the Trey Ward Band will open the show with some great tunes from several generations. And, as always, Nervous Nellie's will be offering plenty of great drink specials throughout the day, along with a visit from the Jager Girls, a barbecue, a charity auction and hundreds of raffles to give away during the event.

Fact Box

Steve Holy concert

and toy drive benefit

AT NERVOUS NELLIE'S AND THE LANI KAI

Saturday, Nov. 19, starting at 11 a.m.

11 a.m.: Gates open, bike parking, DJ music starts

1:30/1:45 p.m.: Escorted riders arrive at Nervous

Nellie's via Collier and Lee Co. Sheriff

1 p.m. First band (TBA) Official "Welcome Speech"

and a Tribute to Tommy

1:30 to 2:30 p m.: Under the Influence performs

Charity auction begins

3to 4 p.m.: The Trey Ward Band performs

4:45pm to 5:45 p.m.: KISS Alive performs

6:15 to 7:30 p.m. The Jane Dear Girls performs

8 to 9:15 p.m. Steve Holy performs

10/11 p.m. Bikers begin to make their way

thru the rest of Bay Walk, down to the Lani Kai

"We're closing the street down, but the restaurant will still be open for normal business all day long," said Rob DeGennaro, owner of Nervous Nellies' Crazy Waterfront Eatery. "All of our patrons will receive a free concert ticket for each lunch or dinner entree they purchase that day."

Nellie's will also have an outdoor food court and bar area, so concert-goers can replenish and renourish quicker. Happy hour will take place upstairs at Ugly's Waterside Bar all day.

The cost to attend is $10 per ticket, and concert-goers are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy, to go toward the biker's charity.

"Anyone donating a new, unwrapped toy that day will receive 10 percent off their bill at Nervous Nellie's," generous Rob continued. "All proceeds raised during the concert will go to the kids."

Just a heads up: The Nervous Nellie's parking lot will be closed all day, to make room for the stage and the bikes, but there is still plenty of parking under the bridge and other nearby areas.

Shuttles will run back and forth from the Winn Dixie parking lot (17105 San Carlos Blvd.) until 11 p.m., so feel free to hop on for a ride to the show!

Once the huge concert commences, show-goers are encouraged to stick around and hit the after-party to meet and greet the visiting musicians, Jager Girls and several vendors and bike-builders from around the state, as well as hit other local hot spots for some post-show fun.

Be sure to make your way down to the Lani Kai with the rest of the visiting bikers, where the party will continue with plenty of great live music, more drink specials, food specials, prizes and so much more.

All attending the Nervous Nellie's and Lani Kai events are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the benefit.

"We will continue to collect toys for the fund-raiser days after the bikers ride off," Beverly said.

The next morning, the Lani Kai will be rolling out the red carpet upstairs in the Island View Lounge, offering all bikers on the cross-state run a complimentary buffet breakfast before their departure around 11 a.m., and invite the public to join in to bid farewell to the visiting crew.

For more information, call 274-6910 or 463-8077, or visit SFLBikeEvents.com.